MYSTERIOUS MASS

15km2 of Mar Menor lagoon waters affected by puzzling white cloud

A ‘WHITISH mass’ of water measuring 15 square kilometres has appeared in Spain’s Mar Menor lagoon.

Satellite images analysed by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) have revealed the worrying phenomena in Europe’s biggest ‘ínland sea’.

The mass extends between Los Alcazares, Los Urrutias and Perdiguera Island with the IEO-CSIC saying that the area is registering chlorophyll concentration values ‘up to four times in Murcia higher than in other parts of the lagoon’.

IEO-CSIC researcher, Juan Manuel Ruiz, said: “The presence of phytoplanktonic proliferations is common, but not with colouring.”

Phytoplanktons are a key part of freshwater and sea ecosystems creating organic compounds from carbon dioxide dissolved in the water.